Saalbach holidays

Alpine charm and lots to do – holidays to Saalbach in the Glemm Valley mix standout scenery with all-you-can do activities.

Authentically Austrian

This is your picture-postcard Austrian village. Streets of buildings with timber balconies cluster around the onion-domed church, and all around are woods, meadows and more mountains than you can count. There’s authentic culture around every corner here too. You can get a taste for local faves from strudel to schnitzel in mountain huts and village cafés. In nearby Maishofen, lift the lid on what goes into making the country’s best-loved spirit at the Schnapps museum. And to discover the story of the place from Medieval times to now, you can’t miss the Heimathaus Museum.

Strolling and rolling

With over 400km of walking trails, Saalbach serves up some serious stats if you’re eager to stretch your legs. From all-day outings to short loops and themed trails made with little ones in mind, there’s an option for everyone. The tourist board even organises free guided walks if you’d prefer to keep your map in your pocket. Or if cycling’s your thing, you’ve got Austria’s biggest network of mountain bike trails on your doorstep. And whether you’re walking or rolling on two wheels, you’ve got nine different summer lifts that'll get you to the summit without breaking a sweat.

Activities for days

Saalbach’s serves up activities galore, so you’re sorted whatever type of trip is on the cards. The Alpine Golden Gate Bridge and Treetop Trail takes you up among the topmost branches of a pine forest. And just down the road you’ve got Europe’s biggest high-ropes park for even more up-in-the-air thrills. Or if you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, how about mini-golf or Archery? And for some family-friendly fun, the Käpt’n Hook Adventure Pool is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser with its slides and flumes.

Out and about

Here are some ideas of things to do when staying in Saalbach:

• Bike hire
• Guided mountain walks
• Cycle routes
• Torchlit walks
• Waterfalls
• Indoor pool
• Outdoor pool
• Tennis courts
• Minigolf
• Wildlife spotting

Popular hotels in Saalbach

Top things to see and do in Saalbach

Beaches

Lake Zell

Get out of town to find the Zell bathing lake – this scenic spot’s about half an hour from central Saalbach by bus.

Sit back or swim

The gentle waters and stunning mountain views make it the ideal place to flick out your towel, sunbathe on the lawn and take it all in. But there’s also plenty more to do, like taking a dip in the water at the sandy beach or testing your balance on a stand-up paddleboard.

Picturesque scenery

There’s boat rides on the lake, or if you're feeling active, you can walk all the way round. Either way, you’ll want to whip out your camera every few seconds to capture your surroundings, where you can see the snow-covered glaciers, even in summer.

Shopping

Bargain buys

Pop down the road to the neighbouring town of Hinterglemm to visit the weekly street market, which runs from 7pm. This market is also a festival so you can shop for bargains in a party atmosphere. Keep an eye on what’s happening each week, just in case times and days change.

Mid-range buys

Saalbach has a limited number of shops but, if you're looking for casual clothes or a new piece of activewear, there are a few sports shops to browse.

Nightlife

Laid-back evenings

Saalbach is a pedestrianised town, and going for an evening wander is a great way to soak up the feel of the valley. You might be lucky and stumble on traditional folklore events, concerts and weekly festivals that are held throughout the high summer season.

Lively evenings

Saalbach has a relaxed but fun evening atmosphere, perfect if you want a few drinks. However, not all bars are open during the summer months so it's worth checking before you go somewhere. Mango’s Cantina is open during the summer and serves a decent collection of cocktails.

Food & drink

Eating out

Saalbach, similar to other Austrian resorts, has a wealth of alms (or huts) on the mountains. During the summer, these offer a fantastic range of authentic Austrian dishes for you to feast on. If that doesn’t take your fancy, back down in resort you’ll also find lots of hotel and à la carte restaurants dotted around town, which serve up a variety of Austrian and international cuisines from Italian to American to Mexican.

Fresh bread at Sonnalm

A 30-minute walk from the Reiterkogel mid-station is Sonnalm, a mountain hut famous for their unique bread-baking process.

More than food at Panorama Alm

A gentle walk down from the Kohlmaisbahn top station is the Panorama Alm. It has a large sun terrace that looks over the whole valley, a bio-bathing pool and a children’s play area, on top of delicious Austrian dishes like spare ribs.

Generosity aplenty at Schattbergstube

On the Schulstrasse is the homely Schattbergstube, where you’re served generous portions of everything from steak and ribs to pizza on wooden boards. The beers and prices are good too.

Getting about

Buses

Use of the local walkers’ buses is free with a Joker Card so you can easily get to Hinterglemm and Lengau. There’s also a normal bus to Zell am See.

Summer lifts

Unlimited use of the summer lifts in the area is free with a Joker Card. Saalbach has the Schattberg X-Press and Kohlmais cable cars, and Hinterglemm has the Reiterkogel and Zwolferkogel cable cars. The Reiterkogel is the only lift open from the end of May, with the second lift opening at the beginning of June, and the remaining two at the end of June, until the end of September or October.

Trains

There’s a tourist train, the Talschlusszug, which runs to Hinterglemm and is free with a Joker Card. The closest proper train station is in Zell am See (30 minutes by bus), from which you can catch a train to Salzburg (1 hour 30 minutes), Innsbruck (2 hours 15 minutes) and Krimml (1 hour 20 minutes).

On foot

Originally a small farming village, Saalbach has retained many of its traditional features and charm – and the best way to see this is on foot. Stroll around town, breathing in the fresh mountain air, before venturing out to explore the surrounding pastures and mountains.

Walking

Walking

The Glemm Valley is perfect for walkers, with over 400km of marked trails to suit every ability level. The Joker Card, free from many hotels, gives you unlimited access to the summer lifts and up to seven guided walks per week – perfect for making sure you get the most out of your stay. If you fancy striking out on your own, the tourist office can give you details of over 30 different routes. Either way, with over 40 mountain huts open, you’ll have plenty of places to grab a drink and a bite to eat while enjoying the stunning scenery.

Herbal & Alpine Flora Trail

Nature enthusiasts will love this gentle walk, which gives you the chance to learn more about the 200 different types of herb and Alpine flower in this stunning region. Hop on the Reiterkogel lift and take it up to the top station. Find walking path no. 5 and follow it for about 20 minutes. There are tours every Wednesday, with guides who will explain more about the medicinal and homeopathic uses of the various plants.

Schattberg Round

A longer walk for those with a bit more energy, this one takes around 4 and a half hours. Catch the Schattberg X-Press gondola to the top and the follow signposts to the Saalbachkogel. If you’re up for it, you can ascend to the peak to see stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Follow the same trail back to the lift and ride it down to the valley.

Average Weather in Saalbach

Facts about Saalbach

Currency
Euro
(EUR)
Language
German
Time zone
GMT +2
Flight duration
From 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours 15 minutes from Gatwick

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